For the first time in eight years, there will be three U.S. national team players participating in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

That was assured Tuesday as Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht defeated visiting AEL Limassol of Cyprus, 2-0, to win their home-and-home qualifying series, 3-2, on aggregate. Kljestan went the full 90 minutes for the Belgian champions, who appeared to be headed out of the competition with 10 minutes remaining.

But forward Dieumerci Mbokani struck in the 81st minute to level the aggregate score and give Anderlecht the away-goal advantage. Then Oleksandr Yakovenko scored in the 89th to seal the Brussels club’s first trip to the group stage since ’06.

Kljestan, who left Chivas USA for Belgium in 2010, will join U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04) and defender Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjælland) in the group stage. The draw for the 32-team round is scheduled for Thursday.

Elsewhere in Europe, Israel’s Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona was eliminated after drawing, 1-1, with visiting BATE Borisov of Belarus. California native Bryan Gerzicich (knee) missed the game with an injury and is expected to be out for about a month. Hapoel will remain involved in European competition, however, as it moves down to the Europa League.

On Wednesday, Alejandro Bedoya could be the fourth U.S. player to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage, but the odds are steep. His Swedish club, Helsingborgs IF, will need to win at Scottish titlist Celtic FC by at least two goals in order to have a shot to continue in club soccer’s biggest competition.